When President Donald Trump infamously labeled Washington, D.C. as "The Swamp" because of the deep-rooted bureaucracies that have proven to have a python-type grip on the American public with its back door deals, the shady alliances made within government agencies, and the rodent-like personalities that have scurried around the halls of Congress and the U.S. Capitol, little did he know that the Capitol Hill complex was full of rats, both literally and figuratively.
In my 15 years of covering the U.S. Congress, I have been accustomed to see mouse and rat traps littering congressional office buildings. To be fair, I have only set my eyes on 4 little cheese-loving tenants over on the House of Representatives.
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R) use to have at least (3) traps set up in his private office. Some members have more, some less. Considering that at the time Rep. Gaetz slept in his office on an inflatable mattress, do you blame them for putting out those Home Depot special death traps?
But just because I have only seen a handful of mice hanging out mainly in the Longworth and Cannon office buildings, it doesn't mean that there haven't been more sightings over the years.
Now, there has been a mouse sighting. It appears to have been seen in the Rayburn office building by none other than Rep. Jimmy Patronis (R).
Rep. Patronis recently posted a video on social media of a mouse making a mad dash out of sight.
"Are DC mice considered swamp rats? The traps in my office are working overtime," stated Rep. Patronis.
Because rodents post a serious health risk to humans, The Floridian spoke to a member of maintenance staff over in the Cannon building earlier this week, where the working confirmed that the complex was full of mice because of the cafeterias that are located in each building, and because members and staffers take food up to their respective offices.
What's worse, member's offices like to pass out an unprecidented amount of diabetic-inducing candies and treats.
Who are the biggest mouse-feeding congressional offenders?
Look no further than the offices of Senator Ted Cruz, Reps. Jared Moskowitz, Brandon Gill, Jake Ellzey, Cory Mills, and Mario Diaz-Balart, just to name a few.
Houston, we have a mouse problem.
One of the nation's most prolific experts on mouse and rat issues, Sylvester the Cat and his son Jr., have been on the frontlines on the Global War on Rodents, and they were all but speechless.
"Sufferin' succotash," said Sylvester.
So, yes. A big mouse problem has a lot to do with food being left in congressional offices. Is Rep. Patronis responsible for welcoming the mouse he saw in his office?
Did Patronis, who is of Greek descent, leave a piece of Baklava out overnight and the mousey came to treat himself to a snack?
Are DC mice considered swamp rats? The traps in my office are working overtime.
Are DC mice considered swamp rats? The traps in my office are working overtime. pic.twitter.com/xGQzYwejlm
— Jimmy Patronis (@JimmyPatronis) July 17, 2025
